Always up for a challenge

Age 61 Born London Educated Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, Elstree, Herts; Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

Career Worked for BP and Rio Tinto group before becoming special adviser to Douglas Hurd, Home Secretary, in 1987. MP for Aylesbury since 1992. Shadow environment secretary 2002-03; Shadow Northern Ireland secretary 2003-07; Europe Minister 2010-16; Leader of the Commons 2016-17; Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor 2017-18; Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster since January 8 2018.

Family Married to Helen with four sons.

Other achievements

Won University Challenge in 1979 as captain of Sidney Sussex College team, then won again in 2002 as Champion of Champions in show’s 40th anniversary year.